Wichita eagle., 1887-07-09
THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT.

Rather than abandon my visit to tn
west and disappoint your citizens might
If alone were concerned, submit to tn
insult to which it is quite openly ascertain
ed l would be helplessly subjected if pres
ent at the encampment, but should bea
with me there the peoples highest Office
the dignity of which must protect, and
believe that neither the g. A. R. as an or
ganization or anything like majority o.
its members would even encourage any
scandalous attack upon it.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The above contains the only point thai
can possibly be turned against the G. A. R.
to make political capital for Mr.. Cleveland
The EAGLE spoke of this at the very com
mencement of this St. Louis muddle. We
then said MIR. Cleveland should be respect.
ed on account of his office, and gave it as our
opinion that the old soldiers did not mean
any disrespect to the president of the
United States But, that their organization
being essentially non political organiza-
ton they simply protested against its be-
Ing used to manufacture sentiment in ia
vor of Mr.. Cleveland for a re nomination
by bis own party. Does any one suppose
Il MIR. Cleveland had been ineligible to a
reelection to the presidency there would
have been any objections On the part of
grand army men or anybody else, to his
visit to St. Louis at the time of the Grand
Army reunion? 1t is very doubtful if Mr..
Cleveland would want to visit st. Louis
during the reunion if he were not contem-
plating re election. Mr.. Cleveland at
tempts to put this question before the
country in light that if his exposition of
the subject were correct, would be ruinous
to the reputation of the nations defenders.
He claims to remain away from st. Louis
to prevent the great Office of the people
which he would bear along with him from
insult. He puts it, too, when stuped
of Formally, that this insult is offered the
country through him, because the parties
offering the insult have not in their own
opinion been provided with sufficient
pensions. This is burning insult not
only to the Grand Army, but to every man
who risked his life to preserve our institu-
lions, and reduces the magnificent loyal
armies of Grant and Sherman to horde of |
mersinaries. There is no getting around
this question and its conclusions. If the
men who fought to restore the Union
measure their devotion to our country and
its institutions by the amount of their pen
sions they are not patriots. II these men
were patriots for gain, they would hasten
to swear allegiance to whatever party for
the time being are in power. But what are
the facts. Men who came out of the army
Democrats, remained SO under the Repub-
lican rule for twenty years. The Demo
cratic party may control the gov
ernment for twenty years to come
and they will find few soldiers
who have noted the Republican ticket
their politics on account of pen
'ions. How large pension does any one
lhink, who are acquainted with the old
soldiers, would be required to gain their
consent to the surrender of the rebel flags.
The fact is the soldiers are sticklers for
principle. And whoever opposes or bellies
he principle for which they fought will in
;ur their displeasure. We are sorry Mr.
has determined not to come to st. s
Louis. We can only recommend the con
ISOLATION found in Shermans words:
If any Of our comrades feel hurt at the
association they can remain at home. but
he sun will rise each morning; the SEASONS ,
will follow each other in quick succession
and the world with its myriads of people {
will 60 right along all the same. i